GYAP announces Jackie Wade Memorial Scholarship for Giles County students pursuing social work careers
(PEARISBURG, VA) – The Giles Youth-Adult Partnership (GYAP) has established a new annual scholarship for graduating seniors who are pursuing a degree or career in social work.
The Jackie Wade Memorial Scholarship will be presented for the first time in Spring 2026. Awards will be made available to seniors at both Narrows and Giles High Schools.
Wade, a lifelong resident of Giles County and founding member of GYAP, chose to continue her education after raising four children – earning degrees from New River Community College, as well as Bluefield College. She worked for New River Community Action Head Start in Pearisburg and later joined the Giles County Department of Social Services before losing her battle with breast cancer in 1999. She was 45 at the time of her passing.
The scholarship is being launched with support from Wade’s family.
“Our family is extremely pleased to help create this scholarship,” noted Wade’s son, Mike. “Mom was a huge proponent of education and fully embraced the opportunity to go back to school and pursue her passion for social work.”
“She dearly loved Giles County and was equally committed to serving its children and families,” Wade continued. “Knowing how important this work was to her, it is only fitting that this scholarship will support young people who wish to pursue similar careers.”
“I know she would be especially pleased that the scholarship will be managed by GYAP,” added Wade. “It definitely feels like things have come full circle.”
“When you consider the ever-growing challenges that children and families are facing, I would argue that the need for skilled and knowledgeable social work professionals has never been greater,” remarked Caryl Allen, Chair of GYAP and Director of Human Services for Giles County. “Generating opportunities for Giles County students to achieve their own personal goals while also contributing to the community in a positive way is something that we should all support – and we are certainly grateful to the Wade family for recognizing how important this is.”
Additional details regarding the application process, including eligibility criteria and deadlines, will be shared in early 2026.
The mission of the Giles Youth-Adult Partnership is to prevent substance use and misuse through collaborative partnerships and actions that create safe and healthy communities. GYAP is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 charitable organization. To make a tax-deductible contribution to GYAP, or the Jackie Wade Memorial Scholarship fund, please make checks payable to “GYAP” and mail to the following: Giles Youth-Adult Partnership, c/o Mike Wade, 2B Corporate Drive, Radford, VA 24141. Contributions to the scholarship should be noted on the check.
